The Green Bay Packers could have key piece of their defense back in place for Sunday night's game against the Vikings at Lambeau Field.
Linebacker Clay Matthews, who leads the NFL with 8.5 sacks despite missing the Packers' game last Sunday because of a left hamstring injury, will play against Minnesota, according to Steve Wyche of NFL.com.
Brady Poppinga started for Green Bay with Matthews out but he suffered a knee injury and will have surgery.
The Packers have numerous injuries on both sides of the ball but they are starting to get some players back. Cornerback Al Harris (knee) and safety Atari Bigby (ankle) can come off the physically unable to perform list this week. Harris appears to be ahead of Bigby in terms of recovery.
Green Bay also made a trade this week, acquiring safety Anthony Smith from Jacksonville. Smith spent time with the Packers previously and could be familiar enough with their system to play Sunday.
